Wake-Up Call: Legalize marijuana to save higher education?

Colorado's parks, recreational areas and open space are subsidized by the Colorado Lottery, which over the past fifteen years has sent millions of dollars to Great Outdoors Colorado. Community colleges are slated to be supported by another form of gambling: Last November, Coloradans voted to expand gaming at casinos in three mountain towns to 24/7 schedules, adding games and upping the maximum bet to $100 -- all because they were sold on the proceeds going to community colleges.

Now, as city and state politicians debate regulations that could rein in the medical marijuana industry, another strain of the argument is pushing for legalizing marijuana altogether. But don't stop there: Legalize it, tax it -- and then earmark the proceeds for our financially strapped higher education system.

Put the higher back in higher education.

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